bow vs. crossbow

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If I remember correctly, in 2nd ed. the bow used strength to determine attack and damage bonuses and the crossbow used dexterity, or at least the long bow used strength.. In IWD2 they both use dex for attack bonus only, no damage bonus.. Does this mean that the crossbow is ultimately the better weapon, since it does more damage and the weapon usually has higher bonuses to attack and damage? I'd like to know the fundamental differences, is there far more attacks with the bow at higher levels (big advantage to the bow) and also, in the game I noticed there are far more arrows then bolts to be found (magical at least, you can buy both non magical for cheap i know). If someone could provide me with info on number of attacks with both weapons (light crossbow, heavy crossbow, short bow, long bow, comp. long bow) it would be appreciated, along with anything else I should know.

 

It depends on: Whyn you give a fighter weapon specialisation and focus and the right crossbow you'll have a formidable ranged fighter. However, the bow has the advantage of allowing the use of the quick-shot feat that allows you one extra attack - that allows you to have a very high rate of ranged attacks right from the start, just as with crossbows you'll have an excellent damage with specialisation and focus.

Eventually bows and arrows are just 2 points of damage short of crossbows. However, there are a couple of heavy crossbows offering heavy damage, but again, there are similar bows as well. My rule of thumb is to give crossbows to mages, bards and clerics to give them a credible ranged combat ability.

I prefer to give bows to the fighter, however, I'm inconsequent there.

 

Bows all the way! I don't care, they just look so awesome, and you can find ammo everywhere, that and they are faster.

[ December 06, 2002, 15:18: Message edited by: reepnorp ]

 

depends:
BOWS: speed(MORE), damage(less), reliability(good) and ammo is found everywhere and there are the endless arrows like the arrow of "the returning poison tipped arrow".
Croosbow:speed(less), damage(more), reliability(low), ammo rarely found and almost no returning arrows!

The returning arrows are wery super expecialy the poisoned one which I have found amazingly good for wizard slaying as the poison keeps them from casting. Also reliability is range and hiting which a bow has more. Hope i helped!

Padeen!

 

Bows allow you to attack as many times per rounds as your BAB allows for melee combat (slings are the same way). Most crossbows only allow you to attack once per round. There are some, Crossbow of Health +2 and Haganan's Folly that allow you to attack according to your BAB. Then there are some crossbows that have a set number of attacks per round such as the Hell bolter and Doom bolter, which give 3 and 2 attacks per round respectively.

One thing that makes bows better IMHO is the ability to use the rapid shot feat. Bows and slings can take advantage of rapid shot for an extra attack per round while crossbows cannot.

For me deciding whether to give my characters bows or crossbows really depends on class. If I am using a single class, non-elf, wizard or a straight cleric or monk then they use the crossbow. Everyone else uses bows if they have the proficiency. Note, I tend to give my rogues, clerics and druids a few levels of fighter or related classes so they do not have to spend a point of bow proficiency. Also, most of my fighters get bows as their range weapon; however, sometimes I’ll give them crossbow as a compliment to their race-most dwarven fighters don't walk around with composite longbows.

 

Dwarf must use throw weapon, Axe or Warhammer.... "Ai, now where is that bloody AXE!"

 

I usually like giving at least a few of my characters some thrown weapons, but not in this game. The range is just ridiculously short.

BTW, has anyone noticed if the magical bow (Sophia's Flight?) you find fairly early on actually has longer range than other bows? I thought it looked pretty much the same...

 

Sofia's Flight does have a longer range. My sorceress didn't have to move forward to shoot after I gave it to her.

And those special crossbows that act like bows (i.e. give you as many attacks per round as you've got), also give you an extra attack if you have the Rapid Shot feat, and an extra one when you're hasted.

Also, everyone is qualified to use a crossbow, while many classes/races need to spend a feat to use bows.

The best ranged weapon I found is the Heavy Crossbow of Accuracy +4. (+10 attack, +5 damage, multiple attacks per round)

[ December 06, 2002, 23:38: Message edited by: Quint ]

 

i suggest to have one crossbow archer because you find enough good ammo to make him/her useful and the fastest ranged weapon in the whole game is the rapid fire crossbow from the duergar smith.

 

I have the latest version of the game but my mage has rapid shot on and it works on crossbows also

 

Yes, it works on *some* special crossbows. It's not a bug. Those special crossbows are the ones I'm talking about.

 

I have a party of 4. This is my third time through (now HoF). I have played 9 characters. I picked my best 4 and it just turns out to be 3 xbowers. It goes without saying that I have the speediest xBows out there. I have also, finally, added the Weir mods with the unlimited stacking ability. It is difficult to find many bolts. Also, when you buy them at $1 per 40 or $150 for 150 or $200 for 200, it is better to buy 4 40s for $4 than 160 for $160. I think the game will support up to 2 xbowers, maybe 2 or 3 arrowers. I think that the added extra shot would miss a lot or do less damage from the description so I don't use it. My sorcerer does decent damage with her bolter, but misses a lot (4 or 5 shots [hasted] is enough I think). I think the limit is 5 shots -- right? Anybody there.
IaaA

 

ad&d shot limit was 5 per round that's right ... (jarlaxle had some flying throwing knives +5 and max speed ).

i do not know if they changed the limit for d&d3

 

I tend to always have one crossbow wielder, just to use up the Sparking Bolts etc that you find. The crossbow wielder will usually be someone who does not have the proficiency for Bow (maybe a Monk for when he isn't needed in melee). If you get the Hell Bolter then you'll get more than enough attacks per round. Same (i.e. one person specialises) for the Sling as there are some really cool bullets around the place (good for smashing up Crystal Golems etc). Everyone else carries a bow.